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Washington, DC – March 24, 2015 – Thirty-six highly qualified students were selected to receive scholarships for study abroad from the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA), an increase of fifteen scholars over the previous year. These 2015-2016 scholarship winners were selected from a pool of almost 1650 applicants representing approximately 525 US colleges and universities. A team of 110 reviewers individually read and reviewed each application.

FEA awards scholarships to students who demonstrate compelling academic plans and financial need, and gives preference to applicants underrepresented in study abroad so that the demographics of FEA scholars are similar to those of the US undergraduate student population. Of this year’s recipients, 72% are first-generation college students, 75% are of minority background, 53% attend minority-serving institutions or community colleges, 58% will study in non-traditional destinations, and 92% are studying the host country language.

Three students were awarded Academic Year Scholarships up to $10,000, including:

FEA offers general and dedicated scholarships. Dedicated scholarships include several regional scholarships and a Rainbow scholarship for students nationwide who self-identify as LGBTQI. Dedicated scholarships are made possible by the generous support and fundraising efforts of FEA volunteers, including:

• Boston Area Study Abroad Association (BASAA) members to benefit students attending Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Connecticut colleges and universities
• Minnesota international educators to benefit students attending Minnesota colleges and universities
• PDX Abroad members to benefit students attending Portland, Oregon/ Vancouver, WA-area colleges and universities
• Texas international educators to benefit students attending a Texas college or university
• Rainbow SIG of NAFSA members to benefit self-identified LGBTQI students attending any US college or university

The Hiliary Echo Douglas Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory of Hiliary Echo Douglas, a study abroad advocate, beloved daughter, wife, mother, and colleague. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who demonstrates Hiliary’s love for Vietnam and other cultures, her desire to give back to the world community, and her contagious love of life.

The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to increase opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships.

For additional information on FEA or our scholarships, please visit our webpage at www.fundforeducationabroad.org or contact us via e-mail at [email protected]